MECHANISMS OF ENDONUCLEASES AND ITS APPLICATION IN HEALTH AND DISEASES: A REVIEW

Gregory Elayeche Oko*, Emmanuel Paul Okoi, Maryam Ammani Lawal, Khuyen Thi Kim Vo, Margaret Akpana Odey and Shuaib Samirah Isah

ABSTRACT

Genome editing is the process whereby DNA within the genome of organisms is inserted, delete or replaced with the help of nucleases. In this review we focused on the mechanisms of endonucleases and its application in health and diseases. An online search of current and past peer reviewed literatures on Genome editing tools was performed. The zinc finger nucleases(ZFNs), transcription activators like effectors nucleases(TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR) was the major endonucleases discussed. In conclusion the endonucleases are targeted at DNA to exert their action and contribute immensely as therapy for cancer, HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and correction of defect genes.

Keywords: DNA, ZFNs, TALENs, CRISPR, HBV, HIV.